The ongoing investigation into a sexual harassment allegation from a Christopher High School cafeteria employee is taking longer than Gilroy Unified School District thought at first glance.
“We’re still interviewing people,” said Superintendent Debbie Flores. “We interviewed, and now we have to re-interview some to ask them more questions about what has been said. Sometimes that happens in an investigation.”
About three weeks ago, GUSD opened an investigation based on an anonymous letter sent to GUSD management and the Dispatch detailing the alleged sexual advances that cafeteria manager Ruben Diaz made toward his female employees.
Flores said that Human Resource Director Kim Filice has interviewed at least 15 people regarding the incident, but would not divulge any other specifics about the investigation as it is a personnel matter and therefore subject to strict confidentiality rules.
“Even when it is concluded, I will not release the outcome of our findings,” Flores said. “I would not tell you what action we chose to take.”
The eight female employees of the cafeteria were unwilling to open up about the alleged harassment, except for the one initial woman who spoke to the Dispatch under the condition of anonymity.
The constant lewd comments from Diaz have stopped, the woman said, and her workplace has become eerie and quiet since the investigation began.
“Things have been quiet. Really quiet,” she said. “Ruben hasn’t said a word.”
She said the one-on-one interviews conducted last week were fairly quick – some quicker than others – and centered on questions regarding how often Diaz made her feel uncomfortable with sexual innuendos or come-ons.
“I hope other people were honest in those interviews and talked about what has been going on here, which is what we all talk about to each other all the time,” she said. “I just hope they felt comfortable enough to do that.”
The woman said that Diaz’ supervisor at CHS, Patricia Carrejo, protects Diaz and is furious at the mystery person who leaked the alleged harassment to the Dispatch.
“Pat said to the whole group, ‘whoever did this, whoever talked to the Dispatch will be fired,’” the woman said.
The Dispatch has reached out to Carrejo for comment several times and she has not returned phone calls.
Flores said the investigation may conclude very soon, but added “you never know” when it may really end.
Diaz has not been put on administrative leave, Flores said.
The accusations against Diaz outlined in the March 29 anonymous letter are serious. It claims that Diaz refers to his employee’s dirty underwear, talks about dreams of having an employee’s breasts in his mouth, and makes sexual references while squeezing squeaky ketchup bottles.
